Merz: Iran must stop threatening neighbours, open Strait of Hormuz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz to ensure free maritime navigation.

In a post on X, he condemned recent Iranian airstrikes on the United Arab Emirates and other partners, Caliber.Az reports.

Die erneuten iranischen Luftschläge gegen die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate und weitere Partner verurteilen wir scharf. Angriffe auf Nuklearanlagen sind eine Bedrohung für die Sicherheit der Menschen in der gesamten Region. Es darf zu keiner weiteren Gewalteskalation kommen.

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) May 18, 2026

He said attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the safety of people across the entire region.

“Further escalation of violence must not be allowed. (…) Iran must enter serious negotiations with the United States, stop threatening its neighbours and open the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions,” Merz wrote.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov